Can I eat raw zucchini?

Zucchini is a vegetable popular in many countries of the world.The best chefs use it to cook a variety of national dishes. In Russia, this vegetable has long been a permanent inhabitant of local gardens. Craftsmen are able to cook more than a dozen dishes from the zucchini. Also, with the onset of autumn, the vegetable becomes the basis for marinades and pickles. And any food made from zucchini is not only incredibly tasty, but also useful.

However, few people know that Maximum benefits to the body of the zucchini can be extracted only by using it raw. We will tell you how to cook a fresh zucchini, having received a real pleasure from its use.

Can I eat raw zucchini? This question certainly asked all summer residents and gardeners that grow this vegetable on their plots. Before turning to the answer, let's first understand what the zucchini is made of. No matter what sort of zucchini you grow or buy. In terms of their composition, they practically do not differ from each other.

The main component of the vegetable is water, which occupies 95% of the total mass. The remaining five percent comes from proteins and various carbohydrates.

From this, some conclude that zucchini is a watery and almost useless product. Not at all. It is in the water contains a large amount of dietary fiber and nutrients. Zucchini boasts the presence of vitamins of groups B, E, A, PP, beta-carotene and ascorbic acid. It also contains iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and sodium. In small quantities among the substances you can find zinc, lithium, molybdenum. Zucchini contains some organic acids and cellulose. We will discuss further the benefits of this list.

By the way, due to the wateriness of the vegetable, its nutritional value is only 24 kcal per 100 grams.

First of all, this is a low calorie level, due to which the vegetable is so popular among the female half of the population. Zucchini is not just possible to use during the diet, but it also helps in losing weight. There are even special diets based on the use of this product. For example, squash monodiet or a diet of American astronauts.

In the zucchini there are absolutely no fats, which means that it does not affect the level of cholesterol in human blood. And what is enough in a vegetable is potassium. This element allows you to remove excess fluid from the body. In combination with sodium, potassium has a positive effect on the heart muscle, ensuring its stable operation. Useful substances of the zucchini help to remove not only liquid, but also bile, which has a good effect on the liver. Also, diuretic and choleretic properties ensure the removal of radionuclides, cholesterol and excess salts from the body.

Cellulose, which is present in the composition of the zucchini, is not digested, but it is very important for the intestines. Its regular use will improve the work of the digestive tract. At the same time, due to the low acid content, eating a vegetable does not irritate the stomach. Zucchini contains not only complex carbohydrates, but also many simple ones. They are easily absorbed in the human body and allow you to quickly get enough. Very positively zucchini affects the cardiovascular system. He is actively involved in strengthening the walls of blood vessels and prevents atherosclerosis. A high concentration of iron helps in the treatment of anemia.

Another useful advantage of zucchini is the presence of pectins with cleansing properties. Doctors advise regularly to use this vegetable to people living in not the most environmentally clean regions or working in industries with harmful emissions.Also, doctors note the special benefits of zucchini for pregnant women and nursing mothers. In the first case, it is allowed to use in any quantities. Vegetable will help in the proper development of the fetus. Iron, potassium and magnesium will play a role in this. At the same time, the zucchini will benefit the mother herself, reducing her pressure, strengthening her immune system and blood vessels.

Zucchini is especially useful for women after childbirth. It helps to normalize the level of vitamins in the body, since most of them were transferred to the child. In the period of feeding the baby with breast milk zucchini should be used in moderation. Otherwise, potassium and magnesium will be eliminated from the mother's body. Vitamins and nutrients enter the body of a woman, and then with the milk are passed to the child.

A separate beneficial effect of zucchini has on men. Iron in its composition has a positive effect on testosterone levels. Other useful substances will reduce the risk of cancer of the urogenital system.

Zucchini does not contain sugar, which means that it can be used by people with diabetes. Vegetable will positively affect their health, fill the body with B vitamins, strengthen the walls of blood vessels and relieve the pancreas. However, diabetics should consume zucchini sparingly. Dosages differ at different stages of the disease, so you should first consult with your doctor.

But zucchini benefits not only when taken orally. High fluid content has a positive effect on the skin. Due to this, the vegetable is a part of many different face masks and sunscreens. Useful substances of the zucchini help to refresh, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin, while maintaining its healthy state.

Whatever the benefits of bringing zucchini to people of different groups and ages, it can also cause harm to the body. Let's take a closer look at the cases in which you should not use this vegetable:

• Zucchini in any form is absolutely contraindicated for people who are allergic to pumpkin crops;
• children should not eat zucchini raw until the age of five, as the vegetable can disrupt the work of a young stomach, cause heartburn or belch;
• In some cases, zucchini due to its diuretic effect can harm people with diseased kidneys, so consult with a doctor before use;
• zucchini can adversely affect the health of people suffering from stomach ulcers or duodenal ulcer, the matter is that the content of vitamin C;
• It is not recommended to eat zucchini on an empty stomach, as it can have a laxative effect, eating vegetables can cause flatulence and diarrhea.

Of course, the zucchini can be used almost in the form in which it grows. This is raw food diet. Simply wash the vegetable and chop. But you can hardly enjoy the taste in this case. We will talk about some of the most common ways to make a raw zucchini. In fact, the number of such recipes in the tens, and the bulk of them have only positive reviews.

Salads are the easiest and fastest kind of dishes, if they are prepared from fresh vegetables. However, for these purposes, only young fresh zucchini, not containing seeds.

The name of the salad speaks for itself. Almost all the ingredients you can find at hand in your garden. You will need:

• 400 grams of zucchini;
• 200 grams of carrots;
• 200 grams of cucumbers;
• 100 grams of onions;
• 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil;
• parsley or dill to taste.

Vegetables, except onions, rub with a grater. Onions cut into rings. Greens finely shred. Mix all that happened, pour oil and ready. Cooking only takes a few minutes.

A Korean-style snack will require less available ingredients, but you can find the missing ones at your nearest grocery store. For salad will require:

• 1 kilo of zucchini;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 pepper;
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar and sunflower oil;
• half a teaspoon of red pepper;
• 1 teaspoon of coriander;
• salt and sugar to taste.

Squash should be cut into slices, and pepper into strips. Grind carrots on a grater. Mix it all in one container and leave for twenty minutes. During this time, vegetables should give juice. It will need to squeeze, and add the rest of the ingredients in the mass. Then season the salad with butter and put it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. The dish is saturated with spices and will have a sharp unusual taste.

"With garlic" - a simple but refined salad. It is prepared from the available ingredients. You will need:

• young squash;
• two cloves of garlic;
• fresh basil;
• lemon juice;
• olive oil;
• black pepper and chili.

Squash need to be cut into thin strips, so it is better if it will have a soft skin and small seeds. Then chop the garlic and basil. Squeeze lemon juice into zucchini, add the rest of the ingredients, including olive oil, pepper and salt.

Salad "With garlic and honey" should be eaten immediately after cooking. In this case, it will retain its beautiful rich flavor and aroma. During the cooking process you will need:

• one zucchini;
• three cloves of garlic;
• dill and black pepper;
• coarse salt;
• two tablespoons of vinegar (9 percent);
• two teaspoons of honey;
• 50 grams of vegetable oil.

Cut the zucchini on the tonic circles, sprinkle with a teaspoon of salt and leave for half an hour. During this time, prepare a gas station. Crush the dill and squeeze the garlic. Mix it all with butter, honey, vinegar and pepper. When zucchini will reach the desired condition, pour out the juice and add a dressing. Then the salad should brew for another twenty minutes.

"With tomatoes" - the easiest and summer salad. It consists of:

• zucchini (weight should be about 150 grams);
• 200 grams of tomatoes;
• two cloves of garlic;
• dill, basil;
• black pepper;
• salt and sugar;
• two teaspoons of lemon juice;
• one tablespoon of vegetable oil.

Remove the rind from the zucchini and cut it into thin slices. Tomatoes are better to cut into large cubes. Mix vegetables and leave for ten minutes. Prepare a dressing of extruded garlic, pepper, lemon juice, vegetable oil, and sugar. Add the dressing to the vegetables. Salad can be supplemented with dill and basil to your taste.

Another recipe for raw zucchini salad is in the next video.